The Underdog
Ten months ago nobody paid much attention to Dan Miller. When he filled in for Fabio Leopoldo at the Semi-Finals of the 2007 Playoffs, people barely blinked. He was just a fill-in, a nobody replacement. Even when he nearly decapitated Dave Philips with what would come to be known as the “guillotine from hell,” it was shrugged off.
Renzo Gracie went on to lead his team to the Championship while Miller slinked back into the shadows; forgotten by most.
When he was called to challenge Ryan McGivern’s Title on May 16, it was the same familiar story. He was the underdog, the unaccomplished bench player. The experts had counted him out and all but etched McGivern’s name into the plaque. But all that was about to change.
Miller climbed into the ring that night with an eerie confidence, almost as though he’d made a deal with the devil. And the ensuing battle left little cause to doubt that he had signed some unworldly contract.
With all the talk about McGivern’s improved standup skills, it was unlikely that Miller would come out of the gates looking to stand and strike with the champion, but he sent a message in the opening seconds that he had other plans. Miller landed a left hook just 7 seconds in that left McGivern staggering back. In the following minutes Miller exchanged blows with a conviction that seemed to almost taunt the champ. He had this stone look on his face that said with cold clarity “I will not be intimidated.”
The fight eventually went to the ground but it was Miller, not the Iowa wrestler who scored the takedown and it was clear that this was not where McGivern wanted to be. He had perhaps gotten too comfortable on the feet and abandoned his bread and butter. He wanted no part of Miller’s jiu Jitsu and it ultimately led to his demise. In an anxious move to get off the mat, McGivern opened himself up for the submission specialist to sink in a knee bar that would earn him the championship.
Everyone in the house was stunned. Everyone except, of course, for Miller himself. When Tim Hughes announced the new champion, he simply grinned as he looked into the cameras and shook his head.
With his belt though, comes un-weathered ground. He is no longer the unknown challenger; he’s the champion and he won’t be overlooked. Everywhere he goes, a target hangs from his neck. Danillo Villefort and John Howard have already openly called him out, but in the crowded middleweight division, the two newcomers will have to earn their stripes before getting a shot at the title.
Either way, Miller will have to defend his belt in the coming months and for the first time he’ll be standing at the top looking down at his challenger. It’s not something he’s done before but one thing he has shown is that he doesn’t scare easily and whoever steps up to challenge him better be ready for a fight.
Ten months ago nobody paid much attention to Dan Miller. When he filled in for Fabio Leopoldo at the Semi-Finals of the 2007 Playoffs, people barely blinked. He was just a fill-in, a nobody replacement. Even when he nearly decapitated Dave Philips with what would come to be known as the “guillotine from hell,” it was shrugged off.
Renzo Gracie went on to lead his team to the Championship while Miller slinked back into the shadows; forgotten by most.
When he was called to challenge Ryan McGivern’s Title on May 16, it was the same familiar story. He was the underdog, the unaccomplished bench player. The experts had counted him out and all but etched McGivern’s name into the plaque. But all that was about to change.
Miller climbed into the ring that night with an eerie confidence, almost as though he’d made a deal with the devil. And the ensuing battle left little cause to doubt that he had signed some unworldly contract.
With all the talk about McGivern’s improved standup skills, it was unlikely that Miller would come out of the gates looking to stand and strike with the champion, but he sent a message in the opening seconds that he had other plans. Miller landed a left hook just 7 seconds in that left McGivern staggering back. In the following minutes Miller exchanged blows with a conviction that seemed to almost taunt the champ. He had this stone look on his face that said with cold clarity “I will not be intimidated.”
The fight eventually went to the ground but it was Miller, not the Iowa wrestler who scored the takedown and it was clear that this was not where McGivern wanted to be. He had perhaps gotten too comfortable on the feet and abandoned his bread and butter. He wanted no part of Miller’s jiu Jitsu and it ultimately led to his demise. In an anxious move to get off the mat, McGivern opened himself up for the submission specialist to sink in a knee bar that would earn him the championship.
Everyone in the house was stunned. Everyone except, of course, for Miller himself. When Tim Hughes announced the new champion, he simply grinned as he looked into the cameras and shook his head.
With his belt though, comes un-weathered ground. He is no longer the unknown challenger; he’s the champion and he won’t be overlooked. Everywhere he goes, a target hangs from his neck. Danillo Villefort and John Howard have already openly called him out, but in the crowded middleweight division, the two newcomers will have to earn their stripes before getting a shot at the title.
Either way, Miller will have to defend his belt in the coming months and for the first time he’ll be standing at the top looking down at his challenger. It’s not something he’s done before but one thing he has shown is that he doesn’t scare easily and whoever steps up to challenge him better be ready for a fight.